Widnes Vikings Coach Allan Coleman: Club Not Yet Prepared for Super League

Widnes Vikings’ coach, Allan Coleman, has indicated that the club is not currently prepared to compete in the Super League, even if a proposed reintroduction of promotion and relegation were to be approved. This statement follows the team’s fifth-place finish in the Championship in 2024, which saw them qualify for the play-offs. The reintroduction of this format is reportedly going to be proposed by Batley Bulldogs at an RFL council meeting scheduled for 4 December. This proposal aims to modify the existing system, where the 12-club Super League consists of clubs ranked highest according to grading criteria established by the media company IMG. The recommendation outlines that if a ‘Grade B’ club, which is lower-ranked, secures the second-tier Championship title, it would take the place of the lowest-ranked ‘Grade B’ club in the Super League. Furthermore, if the top flight were composed solely of ‘Grade A’ clubs, it would expand to accommodate the winner of the second-tier title. Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Coleman stated, “I’m all for it [promotion and relegation]. It needs to happen. But clubs need to have some honesty within that.” He continued, “If you ask me truthfully whether Widnes are ready for Super League, then no we are not. We’re no fools.” However, he expressed optimism for the future, adding, “But will we be in 12 or 18 months or two years? Yes I am confident we will. We’ve got to build something slowly.” The Vikings last competed in the Super League in 2018 and subsequently entered administration the next year. Despite this, they have continuously held their second-tier status. Widnes’s ranking in the gradings declined from 16th in 2023 to 22nd in 2024, though the club successfully maintained its ‘Grade B’ status. This drop in rankings occurred despite the club achieving a fifth-place finish and a play-off spot this year, an improvement from their ninth-place finish in 2023 when they did not reach the play-offs. He further elaborated, “Last season, we achieved the play-offs. This year [in 2025] we’ve got to get higher than that. We’ve got to get a home play-off game and finish in that top two.” Coleman defined this as “progression,” stating, “We’ve got to improve crowds. Our youth development will be bigger and better next year, I’m 100% confident in that.” He concluded by emphasizing, “We have to be a better team and if we can tick all those boxes, I’ll be a really happy coach – but we need to do that consistently.”